Level 0 Master

"Morals and ethics don't really matter. I don't mind a scheme or an assassination. You can kill a hundred or thousands of extras. If you can conquer the world, I won't mind anything. I will accept whatever your plan is."

"Hmph, good. You are right. The rightful ruling of the princess is rather cumbersome," Sungjin agreed.

There was not enough gold to buy off other heroes without exploiting people. There was another secret weapon hidden in the secret chamber of the castle, but Ereka wouldn't use it because she had no intentions of sacrificing any of her people.

Other heroes went to the Blood Ruler because the princess required them to practice chivalry.

"Yes. Victory is everything. Come to me. I will give you freedom."

"Victory is everything. That is true."

Was there sportsmanship on earth?

Gold medals or trophies went to the person who used everything possible to win; bribery, doping, fouls, match-fixing, and whatever was necessary. The only risk was to lose the game on a foul because of the penalty points. In Valhalla, there were no rules stopping them.

What about the Ministry of Gender Equality?

They used government-patronized scholars and interest groups to transform lies into truth and spread these lies using the ass-kissing media to fool the people. They glorified their greed into justice to win.

Whatever they did, the winner took it all.

Ereka felt pressure on her chest. What Riad said was true. There were reasons why all the other heroes decided to stand on Riad's side even though the late king nominated Ereka as his successor.

Merciful Rulership and the Divine Birth Privilege were two major principles of the world, the latter being the dominant one without exception. The scriptures said that the extras had been given to the heroes. The majority of people took the translation as if the extras were given to them to use rather than them being consigned for care.

Her rightful ruling was a lot of work for them while it was more beneficial to serve Riad. Moreover, Riad was stronger, which made everyone want to serve Riad. That was why Ereka was sincerely grateful to Rittier and Jenna who stayed with her.

She had to realize that her rightful ruling was not appealing to others.

Sungjin, are you… going to stand by Riad as well…

She wanted to ask him to stay, but she had no cards to put on the table to keep him. The Blood Ruler saw his abilities and wanted him. It was a losing game for her.

Sungjin grinned.

"But what should I do? I like those restrictions?"

"Ha. What are you talking about?"

"Your victory is just a forced one. Well, that is still a victory, but it's not cool."

"Victory is victory, defeat is defeat! The winner takes all, and the loser goes down. That is true victory and defeat!" Riad shouted as water from the tub spilled over.

"You are right," Sungjin agreed.

At the end of the day, the winner took it all, and the loser lost everything. In the world of sports as well, champions were wealthy while the bottom ranks were miserable. The Ministry of Gender Equality took the prize while he and other gamers lost their dream. There was no need to talk about war.

"But there were some idiots in history who pushed the limit and kept their ideology until they couldn't."

If you couldn't make it, people laughed at you, and in most cases, reality would beat them up, yet they still challenged reality. And in those rare cases where their dream came true… Their ideas that those wise men didn't approve because they were too good to be true became a reality and changed the world.

The emancipation of slaves, the people's revolution, the abolition of the caste system and dictatorship, independence… And the princess' dream—Merciful Rulership to protect people's lives and future.

This would be even greater when achieved after a difficult task.

Sungjin has been through the misery after being defeated. He has seen the enemy winning by using anything in their power just to win. But he despised that because that was a dirty victory, and he was angry because that was an evil deed. He told himself that he would never steal away a victory like them.

"It is much cooler when you keep to the rules and win. So I don't need you."

"I thought I knew you. I didn't see your weakness of being chained to meaningless things."

Riad stormed out of the bath.

"I will kill you with her."

Pieces of the bathroom were scattered by her energy. Her blood energy evaporated the water in the bath. She turned around and walked out of the broken wall. Every step dented the ground.

In that heavy air, Sungjin noticed Ereka behind her.

"Hmph. Do whatever you please. It is more challenging to win against such an enemy."

That was the end of their conversation; now there was a war waiting.

Sungjin refreshed the air.

"Well, the unwanted guest has left, so you can go first."

"Thank you, Sungjin."

Ereka thanked him and stood up. It was too much for her to be in the same bath with him.

Haha. What did I do? Jumping into the same bath with Sungjin.

Of course, it was to keep her eyes on the Blood Ruler, and she covered herself. That was too important to think of anything else, including manners. But… But… sharing a bath was something only between lovers. The word she had in mind surprised her.

Lovers…

Her cheeks were burning. Maybe she was in the hot water a little too long. But what if she and Sungjin were real lovers… So they really bathed together…

"I'm too shy."

She rolled over and tried to hide, but Sungjin approached her with his hand. His hand had a strong grip and brought her over.

"It's ok. Let me do it."

"But…"

"Every inch of your body is beautiful. Show me."

What… what am I… imagining?

That was impossible. That was all because of Jenna, who said some nonsense to make her imagine such things.

Lovers. Such a subject will make Sungjin uncomfortable.

But she couldn't help herself from wanting to know one thing.

* * *

After a little while, the princess invited Sungjin to the tea room. She hesitated a little while before she started talking.

"Sungjin, can I ask you something?"

"Ask me."

"I rule rightfully to keep the legacy of my father and to protect my precious people. But why did you refuse such a good offer from the Blood Ruler for a complete stranger's land?"

"Why? Did you want me to accept her offer?"

Ereka shook her head at Sungjin's joke.

"Of course not. But… I was worried. I tried to become a ruler… but I don't have the power or charisma like my father."

"Hmph. I told you. You are a better partner for the awesome victory that I want."

"What is this awesome victory… that you are talking about?"

"What is this awesome victory," Sungjin repeated.

In Valhalla, victory and the defeat had completely different meanings compared to back on earth. On earth, this was just a type of sport he was playing as a professional player. So he had only one rule to be fair and square.

But in Valhalla, this was a war.

He was just an aspiring pro gamer. But in this world, Sungjin was able to control the rise and fall of a kingdom, and moreover, change the destiny of the world. In a world like this, what kind of victory would he pursue? What would his path to becoming an Arc Master be?

"At least a victory with your bright smile."

To have an awesome victory, he had already decided to protect her happy smile. On earth, he pursued a fair and square victory to make the audience go wild and to make himself proud of becoming a world champion. In this world, he decided that the first step to becoming an Arc Master would be to protect this girl.

He didn't need a destructive victory like the Blood Ruler.

"What? Ah… well…"

Ereka's heart pounded.

If I smile… and cheer for you… would that be enough?

To see her smile, he refused the offer from the dominantly advantageous opponent, the Blood Ruler. That was a noble and honorable act of him.

"Is… is that true?"

"Yes."

"Oh… right! I suppose you need to rest now. Good night."

Ereka said goodnight and left. She was too shy to stay there any longer. But on the other hand…

I'm happy. I'm truly happy!

She was so happy to hear what Sungjin said. She felt like she was flying.

Thank you, Sungjin.

She was grateful that Sungjin decided to stay with her. She was truly grateful that Sungjin respected her rightful ruling, while all the other heroes laughed at it and abandoned her.

After her father, the late king, passed away, Rittier was the first person who said her restrictions were good and had worth…

Sometimes she imagined… It would be romantic and lovely if a charming knight handed her his sword under the moonlight as a promise to protect her.

Sungjin was not wearing shiny armor, and he didn't say his words in a rose garden under the moonlight. But Sungjin's words made her happier than any other story she had been imagining

Oh… Sungjin…

She was so happy that she almost cried. She had to abandon her dreams as a girl, but now, two of her dreams came true, both her dreams as a girl and as a ruler.

* * *

Chapter 11

The castle was full of tension after the Blood Ruler's visit. The pleasure from taking over the capital was only for a moment; now, they had to face the hopeless reality where they had to fight back against the awakened Blood Ruler.

After helping the people from the capital, Ereka called a meeting to set up the next strategy.

"The Blood Ruler came back stronger. Now she is level 8, and her ultimate skill is a great threat of mystery."

Ereka explained the situation to Sungjin.

At level 8, your Heroic Power becomes stronger and upgrades your basic skills. But that was the least of their concerns. The real threat was the Blood Ruler's new ultimate skill. They had no idea what her new ultimate kill would be.

"Rumors say she defeated all three of her knights with one blow, and the other heroes were in fear watching it."

"Hm, at least that is a clue. At least it is not an anti-personnel skill."

"Yes. The problem is how we can fight against them with our absolutely unbalanced power. I'm checking to see if we can get some help from other countries …"

"There will be no country who wants to help us to fight the awakened Blood Ruler," Sungjin said with a reason.

"You are right. I tried to remind them about our long relationship dating back to our ancestors, but it didn't work."

"It okay. We can do it by ourselves."

Ereka found hope in his confidence, although the hope was as tiny as a tiny boat in a storm.

"Is it… possible?"

"Really, Sungjin Oppa?"

"Could it be possible?"

When all three of them asked him at once, Sungjin smiled.

"Yeah. They are dominant in power, but I have a plan."

"Tell us."

"Okay. The basis of our plan is that we are on defense."

"Defense. Of course."

"The battlefield in the capital has a 3:3 map, which will minimize our weakness of having only 3 leveled heroes, while the Blood Ruler can only bring two of her knights. Compared to a 4:4 battle, this is much more advantageous for us."

"Correct."

But that didn't make them feel comfortable. They already knew that much.

"And the real key is our right to build the base. Which means we can use the geographic advantage that we have created for ourselves."

Sungjin's eyes sparkled like those of a wild animal.

"Geography?"

"Yes. I can think of hundreds of shapes in a second to make the base useful for us. I will pick only a few of them, but that should be enough to defeat them."

"Surely… since it is you doing it, that would be possible."

All three were filled half with hope and half anxiety. The Blood Ruler's incomparable power and name made them anxious while Sungjin's strategy that was beyond his level was a powerful tool.

There was a chance for them to win in a defensive battle where they could prepare for it.

"Only one thing that you guys need to do. Hold out until the Blood Ruler declares the war. If you can do that, I will make you win."

"I will trust you and follow you."

Ereka promised herself to trust and follow only Sungjin.

"Good. But keep one thing in mind. The Blood Ruler is not bad. She will be aware of the disadvantage of attacking and will try to do something to make us declare the war. Just hold out. Her ambition is not to take our country, so if we hold out long enough, she will initiate the attack to save time."

Sungjin already looked through the Blood Ruler. She was careful and cool-headed, but her ambitions were much bigger. He knew what her move would be, so he articulated the importance of a defensive battle. If they were on the defensive, he was confident that they would win.

"If we win this time, the Blood Ruler will become our prisoner. That means that will be the end of this war," Rittier endorsed.

"Then the princess will win, and everyone will be happy! I really hope that will come true," Jenna said as she flapped her tail with happiness.

"Sungjin Oppa. Work on a perfect defense strategy! Then I will marry you!"

"Haha. I appreciate your gesture."

But I mean it.

Jenna kept flapping her tail. Even if the princess married him as a first wife, there would be endless concubines who would follow him. She thought she had to get in to satisfy him where the princess couldn't and check on the other concubines.

That was the way for her to serve the princess and Sungjin who both helped her.

Well, I don't need to tell them now.

"But I promise us victory."

Ereka's heart started to pound again as she looked at Sungjin's confident smile.

That confident and manly smile… very charming… I still have nightmares when I think of the Blood Ruler… Sungjin, you are a real man.

"That's it for now. Just remember to hold out whatever the Blood Ruler tries to attack."

"Okay."

That was the end of their strategy meeting. But they were not the only ones who had a strategy meeting.

At that time, the Blood Ruler was having a strategy meeting with her heroes.

"So what about the information I ordered?"

"Your Highness. Through the priest, we found out that the extra had a mock battle with the wizard kid against the princess."

"And?"

"Surprisingly, the wizard kid won."

"I know she has no experience, but how can a level 4 wizard defeat a level 6 knight?"

"How terrible a knight she is, even though she has level 6 power. Tsk."

Riad stamped her foot hard to stop the heroes from talking down the princess.

Crash.

Even the ceiling shook with a loud noise.

"You silly things! It was not the weakness of the princess nor the strength of the wizard! It was he who made the wizard win!"

"But Your Highness, he is a mere ext… Ugh!"

The Blood Ruler pushed her magical sword into the hero's throat. He fell down spouting blood.

"I approved of him after meeting him. You have insulted me."

"Forgive us."

All the other heroes bowed down flat.

"Report to me how well she did."

"Unfortunately, the priest didn't see everything, but it seemed like the wizard lured the princess into the forest and set the forest on fire."

"Set the fire on the forest?"

"What… What is that… such a low…"

Battle was supposed to be a fight between heroes using martial arts, skills, and power given by God. But defeating the opponent by setting fire to the forest? That was a cheap and shallow trick of a cowardly extra.

The heroes were annoyed, but on the other hand…

"Ah, haha. As good as I heard. Okay. So a level 0 can use the geography for his plan. He is the next level up from the people who use the turrets."

Riad laughed with satisfaction.

"Your… Your Highness."

"Hmm. A level 6 knight didn't fall for a fire for sure. I'm sure there was more to it. One clear thing is that he is better at using geography than me."

"How can he be better than you, Your Highness!"

"That is nonsense! You are the strongest and the best! Please don't compare your greatness with a mere extra."

"All you can do is cover your incompetence with cheap, sweet-coated words."

"They are not sugar-coated. We are telling the truth."

"Hmph. Hmm. We should not initiate the attack."

"What?"

Riad's words shocked the heroes again.

"With your absolute power… perhaps you are too careful."

"Hmph. A person who is drenched by the daydream of the princess not being a threat to me. Lions take unpredictable factors into account while trying their best to chase even if it is just a rabbit. I will make the princess initiate the fight."

"Knowing your absolute power, would they try to initiate?"

"I might not be a master of geography, but I'm a master of human psychology."

Riad's smile showed her magical power. She sipped a virgin's blood with her bloody red lips.

"All you have to do is to follow my orders and prepare things. I will do the rest."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Riad started to work on her own strategy.